Last Updated on April 9, 2021

Toothpaste is something you use every single day (or at least you should) that you probably always thought only had one use: getting your teeth clean. Well… not quite.

Although this product was specifically designed to give you the perfect smile and keep your teeth healthy (just as Colgate toothpaste TV ads remind us from time to time), it has also been used to clean all sorts of things for quite a long time.

People discovered that its mildly abrasive properties could make it a great alternative to other household cleaning products. Think about it: if toothpaste is safe to use on your teeth, it most likely is also safe to use on fabric and other types of surfaces.

In this article, we will go through some of the items that can be very effectively cleaned with toothpaste. Take a few notes because they might come in handy the next time you are doing the chores.

1. White sneakers

There are dozens of beautiful white shoe models. But wearing them on a daily basis is always a problem because they get dirty very easily. And we all know how stressful it is to wash a pair of shoes. Using toothpaste to remove stains on white shoes is a very effective way to give them back the shine they had the day you bought them.

Here’s how to clean white sneakers with toothpaste:

-Mix equal parts of white toothpaste, baking soda, and water (one tablespoon of each)
-Apply the solution directly over any stain
-Gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush using circular movements
-Wipe clean with a damp cloth
-Leave the sneakers to dry

2. Piano keys

If you have a piano in your living room you can use a tiny bit of toothpaste and an old toothbrush or a cotton swab to clean up the dirt accumulated on its white keys. It will work great whether the keys are made from ivory or plastic, just make sure you wipe the toothpaste away with a damp cloth.

3. Bathroom sink

You know that moment when you are putting the toothpaste on the toothbrush and it ends up slipping and sticking into the sink? It’s infuriating, we know. But you can seize the opportunity to clean your bathroom sink.

Grab a damp paper towel or sponge and start scrubbing the toothpaste all over the entire surface of the sink and rinse well. Ta-da. Your sink is now shiny and smelling great!

4. Remove soap scum

You can use the exact same technique described above to remove soap scum buildup anywhere in your bathroom: glass shower enclosures, ceramic tiles, and metal fixtures, for example.

5. Bathroom mirrors

Toothpaste can be used to prevent your bathroom mirrors from fogging. Before preparing your hot bath to relax after a stressful day at work, simply rub a non-gel toothpaste over the surface of the mirror with a cloth and wipe it off a few minutes later. Make sure you choose a non-abrasive toothpaste and a very soft cloth to prevent scratches on the mirror.

6. Headlights

This trick is already very well known. If you have ever washed a car before you know how difficult it can be to effectively clean up the grime and dead mosquitoes that pile up in your car’s headlights.

Toothpaste can make this task much easier and you won’t even have to worry about scratching the surface. Simply squeeze a bit of toothpaste directly on the headlight and use a damp sponge to scrub the surface will do the work. Use a damp cloth to rinse and you are good to go!

7. Silverware

You probably don’t use silverware every day. You keep them in a drawer and only take them out on very special occasions. As time goes by, silverware loses its shine, so they may not be in the best shape when you want to put them to proper use. And that’s when toothpaste becomes useful.

Rubbing toothpaste on your silver pieces with a soft cloth will give them the perfect cleaning. Rinse in hot water and finish the cleaning process with a dry cloth. Besides being used to polish silverware, toothpaste can also polish copper pots and pans.

8. Faucets and handles

Toothpaste can be used to chrome your faucets and handles. Grab a cloth and place a small amount of toothpaste on the surface to polish it nicely. Wipe off any remaining residue with a clean cloth and take a moment to appreciate how shiny everything is.

9. Remove food odors

Some people hate cooking because they can’t get rid of that persistent smell that clings to the hands when cutting onions or cooking fish. It is truly annoying and sometimes it won’t go away no matter how many times you wash your wands with water and soap.

Toothpaste can once again be the solution to this problem. Use it instead of soap when washing your hands and that horrendous smell will be immediately gone. At the same time, it will lighten your discolored fingernails. You’re welcome.

10. Clean your walls

Parents know how unpredictable little kids can be. You leave the room for one minute and when you come back you find a work of art painted on the wall with colorful crayons.

Yeah, just another regular day in a parent’s life. But don’t worry, grab your kid’s toothpaste and a scrub brush to easily clean off all the mess they made.

11. Clean your carpet

Washing a carpet is not always a simple task. Some carpets are very big and heavy which makes the cleaning process a true nightmare. This tip can save you all that hassle.

As soon as you notice that your carpet has a little stain on it, go to your bathroom and grab the toothpaste – it is a very effective stain remover. Place a fair amount directly on top of the stain and use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the carpet fibers.

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